February 27, 2010

July 6, 2010: Day Mark Buehrle earns full no-trade rights

Mark Buehrle’s contract demands three years ago will pay off for him on July 6.

Barring a major collapse by the White Sox, Buehrle will regain his full no-trade rights by virtue of his 10th anniversary in the majors — all with the Sox — on that date.

“That’s what I was going for during the whole contract time,” said Buehrle, who signed a four-year, $56 million contract two weeks before the July 31 trading deadline in 2007. Buehrle’s deal included full no-trade rights in 2008, but the Sox regained their trade option during an 18-month window that ends midway through this season when Buehrle reaches his anniversary.

“Every player wants to get to that point of being fully vested (in the pension plan),” Buehrle said. “It’s going to be a big day once I get there.” …